Frasier (DVD) Review

Along with Friends and Seinfeld, Kelsey Grammer's Cheers spin-off, Frasier, dominated the prime time television landscape during the 1990's. Grammer plays the role of Dr. Frasier Crane who, fresh off of his divorce from Lilith, moves back to his hometown of Seattle where he lands a gig as a radio psychiatrist. Frasier's father, Marty Crane (John Mahoney), a Seattle cop recently shot in an attempted convenience store robbery is in need of physical therapy. Frasier and his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) make an effort to mend their relationship with Marty whose plaid shirts and penchant for sports and beer strikes a dramatic contrast with their wine club, opera house culture. After a little prodding, Marty and his dog Eddie (Moose) move into Frasier's upscale apartment, and Frasier hires Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves), a housekeeper and physical therapist to look after the two cranes.

The entirety of the show takes place in mostly three places - Frasier's radio station where he works with show producer Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin), Frasier's apartment, and the favorite hangout of Niles and Frasier, Café Nervosa. A witty comedic exploration of the nation's clash of cultures (also illustrated by Frasier's run-ins with sports guy Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe), Frasier stands alone as one of the best-written shows in television history. Not a single episode can be considered a dud.

The Frasier DVD offers a number of hilarious episodes including the series premiere "The Good Son" in which the title character Dr. Frasier Crane moves back to his home town of Seattle, Washington. Living a comfortable lifestyle with his decorated bachelor pad and high-profile radio show, Frasier gets a rude awakening when his brother Niles points out that their father Marty can no longer live on his own due to a gunshot wound. Reluctantly, Frasier invites Marty to come live with him and the two eventually hire Daphne Moon as a housekeeper/physical therapist... Other notable episodes include "The Crucible" in which Frasier throws a lavish dinner party to celebrate the newest edition to his art collection only to learn from the artist herself that the painting is a forgery, and "Give Him The Chair!" in which Frasier tries to do a favor for Martin by throwing out his favorite chair, but Martin is raving mad, prompting Frasier to search all of Seattle to retrieve the priceless heirloom...

Below is a list of episodes included on the Frasier (Season 1) DVD:

Episode 1 (The Good Son) Air Date: 09-16-1993
Episode 2 (Space Quest) Air Date: 09-23-1993
Episode 3 (Dinner At Eight) Air Date: 09-30-1993
Episode 4 (I Hate Frasier Crane) Air Date: 10-07-1993
Episode 5 (Here's Looking At You) Air Date: 10-14-1993
Episode 6 (The Crucible) Air Date: 10-21-1993
Episode 7 (Call Me Irresponsible) Air Date: 10-28-1993
Episode 8 (Beloved Infidel) Air Date: 11-04-1993
Episode 9 (Selling Out) Air Date: 11-11-1993
Episode 10 (Oops) Air Date: 11-18-1993
Episode 11 (Death Becomes Him) Air Date: 12-02-1993
Episode 12 (Miracle On Third Or Fourth Street) Air Date: 12-16-1993
Episode 13 (Guess Who's Coming To Breakfast) Air Date: 01-06-1994
Episode 14 (Can't Buy Me Love) Air Date: 01-20-1994
Episode 15 (You Can't Tell A Crook By His Cover) Air Date: 01-27-1994
Episode 16 (The Show Where Lilith Comes Back) Air Date: 02-03-1994
Episode 17 (A Midwinter Night's Dream) Air Date: 02-10-1994
Episode 18 (And The Whimper Is...) Air Date: 02-17-1994
Episode 19 (Give Him The Chair!) Air Date: 03-17-1994
Episode 20 (Fortysomething) Air Date: 03-31-1994
Episode 21 (Travels With Martin) Air Date: 04-14-1994
Episode 22 (Author, Author) Air Date: 05-05-1994
Episode 23 (Frasier Crane's Day Off) Air Date: 05-12-1994
Episode 24 (My Coffee With Niles) Air Date: 05-19-1994